The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-10

1 ~-N%--~
with photographer but was touched
and gratifed by his boyish enthusiasm, and
he seemed a gentlemanly young fellow, too,
so made an exception in his favor, and he
did wiring my blanchard.
$50 you are Vitriol?" he repeated in a
kind of daze, "and you have sought me
out-me, of all people in the world--to
have the honor of taking your photo
graph p
"That is So" | said; shut pardon me
if warn you that you must not allow
your head to be turned by what is in truth
due to the merest accident"
''But what an accident T. he cried; "after
what l have learned really could not
think of making any charge for this priv
ilegew
That was a creditable and not unnatural
impulse, and 1 did not check it. "You
shall take me as often as you please" l
said, "and for nothing"
"And may l" he said, a little timidly-
"would you give me permission to exhibit
the results p
''If followed my own incinations, |
replied, Il should answer certainly not
But perhaps have no right to deprive you
of the advertisement, and still less to with
hold my unworthy features from public
comment may, for private reasons" /
added, thinking of Iris, "ind it advisable
to make some show of displeasure, but you
need not fear my taking any proceedings
to restrain you
ave struggling photographers must be
SO careful, he sighed. Suppose the case
of your lamented demise-it would be
protection if 1 had some written authority
under your hand to show your legal repre-
sentatives."
"Actio personals moritur cum persona, "
l replied; ''if my Executors brought an ac-
ton they would find themselves nonsuited "
q had studied for the Bar at one period of
my life.
"Quite So, he said, "but they might
drag Inc into court, nevertheless, Ishould
really prefer to be on the safe side.
1t did not seem unreasonable, particular
ly as | had not the remotest intention
either of bringing an action or dying; so |
wrote him hasty memorandum to the eff
feet that, in consideration of his photo
graphing me free of charge, q took care
to put that in,) l undertook to hold him
free from all molestation or hindrauce
whatever in respect of the sale and circula-
ton of all copies resulting from such pho
tographing as aforesaid.
evil that do?" | said as handed it to
him.
His eyes cleaned as he took the docu-
ment at is just what wanted, he said
gratefully; "and now, if you will excuse
me, will go aud bring in a few accessor-
les, and theu We will get to work"
He withdrew in state or positive exul-
tation, leaving me to congratulate myself
upon the happy chance which had led me
to his door, One does not discover true
artist every day, capable of approaching his
task in proper spirit of reverence and en-
thusiasm; and had hardly expected, after
my previous failures, to be spared all per-
sonal outlay. My sole regret, indeed, was
that had not simulated for share in the
be doubtless large one; but -HHhfteeaab would
not one of my vices, and decided not to
press this point.
Presently he returned with something
which bulged inside of his velvet jacket
and heap of things which he threw down
in corner behind screen.
GA few little properties he said: eve
may be able to introduce them by and by.
Then he went to the door, and, with a
rapid action, turned the key and placed it
in his pocket.
ssYou will hardly believe" be explained,
chow nervous 1 am on occasion of impor
lance like this; the bare possibility of inter
ruption would render me quite incapable of
doing myself justice"
| had never met any photographer quite
so sensitive as that before, and L began to
be uneasy about his success; but | know
what the artistic temperament is, and, as he
said, this was not like an ordinary occa-
/ sion.
"Before proceed to business, he said,
in voice that positively trembled, 81
must tell you what an exceptional claim you
have to my undying gratitude. Among
the many productions which you have Wis
tied with your salutary satire you may
possibly recall little volume of poems
entitled Pants of Passion I?
shook my head good-humoredly. "My
good friend" l told him, eff | burdened
my memory with all the stuff have to
pronounce sentence upon, do you suppose
my brain would be what it is ?"
He looked crestfallen. "No," he said
slowly, II ought to have know-you would
not remember, of course. But | do. L
brought out those Pants. Your mordant
pen tore them to tatters. You convinced
me that had mistaken my career, and,
thanks to your monitions, ceased to prac-
tice as poet and became the photographer
you now behold /"
"And have known poets" | said en-
couragingly, "who have ended far less cred
itably. For even an Indifferent photo
grapher is in closer harmony with nature
than mediocre poet"
"And [ was mediocre, wasn't l r. he IN
quired humbly.
$50 far as / recollect," replied (fOr |
did begin to remember him now "to at
tribute mediocrity to you would have been
beyond the audacity of the grossest syco-
plant.
s-Thank you" he said; "you little know
how you encourage me in my present I'M
dertaking-for you will admit that | can
photograph p
ssT6at, replied, is Ineligible enough,
photography being pursuit demanding
less mental ability in its yotaries than that
of metrical composition, however hating.
'sThere is something very soothing about
vour conversation" he remarked; sit heals
my self-loye-which really was wounded by
the things you wrote"
ssPooh, poohl'' 1 said indulgently, eve
must all Of us go through that in our time
at least all of you must go through it.
eyes" he admitted sadly, ebut it amt
: pleasant, is it ?"
s'Of that have never been in position
to Judge" said 1; shut you muss remember
that your sufferings, though doubtless pain
: full to yourself, are the cause, under capable
. treatment, of infinite pleasure and amuse
4 Il = al. Ia